TORAH. Toldot tells the story of the second generation of Patriarchs and Matriarchs and begins the dramatic story of the third.

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1 TORAH RaYBaSH s Torah Thought s Parashah #6: Toldot: History B reshit (Gen.) 25:19-28:9 Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr Summary: Toldot tells the story of the second generation of Patriarchs and Matriarchs and begins the dramatic story of the third. Chapter 25 Tells of Rivkah s (Rebecca) bout with infertility, the birth of Ya akov (Jacob) and Esav (Esav), and the selling of the birthright. Chapter 26 Deals with the Famine, which causes Yitzhak (Isaac) and family to move to G rar, Yitzhak s encounter with Avimelech, YHWH reiterates the covenant He made with Avraham to Yitzhak, Yitzhak acquiring much wealth. Chapter 27 Speaks of the blessing of Ya akov over Esav.

2 Chapter 28 Ya akov moves in with Uncle Lavan (Laban), Esav runs to Ishmael. Interesting you have to deceivers in the first group, and two wildmen in the second group. Commentary: Gen. 25:19-21 And these are the generations of Isaac, Abraham's son: Abraham begat Isaac: And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padanaram, the sister to Laban the Syrian. And Isaac intreated the L-RD for his wife, because she was barren: and the L-RD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. (KJV) Rivkah like Sarah was childless. This second generation Patriarch and Matriarch is so much like the first in almost every way as we will see. According to Jewish Tradition Yitzhak was like Avraham in every way physically, mentally and spiritually, and the same for Rivkah being like Sarah. It is said that Yitzhak was often mistaken for Avraham. Why was Rivkah infertile and barren? The blessing of her mother and brother Lavan was not sincere and heartfelt Gen. 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them. (KJV)

3 and so an insincere blessing said, is turned into a curse because it wasn t truly meant by the ones who spoke the blessing. You can look someone in the eye and say, I love you bro! and you have hate in your heart for them because of some past event. So you may say, I love you but your heart meant otherwise and that will eventually show as it does later with Lavan and Ya akov. It is interesting to note that all the main Matriarchs: Sarah, Rivkah, and Rachel s pregnancies were miraculous. Each had trouble conceiving, each time G-d intervened and made the pregnancies possible. Gen. 25:21-26 And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived. And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the LORD. And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. And when her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. And the first came out red, all over like an hairy garment; and they called his name Esau. And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: and Isaac was threescore years old when she bare them. (KJV) Twins run in the family, it reminds you of Kayin (Cain) and Avel (Abel). It is also interesting to note that the sons of the Patriarchs were like night and day. Kayin and Avel Yishmael and Yitzhak

4 Esav and Ya akov And with each the younger one was pious, and the younger one was chosen and favored over the elder. The Elder was usually arrogant materialistic and the younger was usually humble and spiritual. Be careful of what you name your child. Your child s name has a meaning and a prophetic destiny that shapes its life and character. And in Judaism, and also in Native American culture as well, that when an event occurs such as a grave illness or a near tragic event in a person s life, the name is changed to reflect that new person that they have become on account of the event. It s like being born again when receiving a new name. Esav: Means red and hairy, a very masculine, very fleshy name which leaves him wide open for the evil inclination. No focus or direction to shape his future for the good. Ya akov: Means one who catches the heel, surplanted, deceiver, trickster. His name will later be changed to Yisrael (Israel). Yisrael: One who has wrestled with G-d and won. It also means prince of G-d. Through this wrestling match, Ya akov who was like the serpent in Gan Eden who was a trickster and who struck at the heel, became the one who crushes the head of the Trickster and heel striker. Gen. 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. (KJV) Gen.25:22-23 And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the L-RD. And the L-RD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. (KJV) At this moment Rivkah knew that Ya akov would be the next Patriarch and it is he that should get the blessing. And most likely Yitzhak kne about the Word of YHWH

5 to Rivkah, Just as Adam was there when the serpent spoke with Chavah (Eve), yet nevertheless Gen.25:28 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. (KJV) Esav and Ya akov were as night and day, total opposites. Nothing wrong with that, their interests and personalities are neutral. It s how we employ our interests and personalities that make our character and our actions right or wrong. It is our souls, our Neshamah s which channel our personalities for either good or evil. According to Legends of the Bible Esav came out of the womb first because he threatened that if he didn t that he would kill Rivkah in childbirth and so Ya akov allowed him to come out first, but we read that Ya akov came out behind grabbing his heel, thus the name Ya akov meaning heel catcher. Gen. 25:26 And after that came his brother out, and his hand took hold on Esau's heel; and his name was called Jacob: (KJV) Let us know look at v.27 Gen.25:27a And the boys grew: and Esau was a cunning hunter, a man of the field; (KJV) Notice how Esav resembles Ishmael, for Ishmael was a master archer and living in the wilderness after Avraham sent him away. Ya akov favored Avraham like his father Yitzhak. They were men of hospitality.

6 Gen. 25:27b and Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. (KJV) Where was Avraham usually found? At the opening of his tent. We know Esav was selfish, desired instant gratification, cared for no one or nothing but himself. But it wasn t because he was a hunter (Mal.1:2-3). Ya akov could just have easily been a lazy, loafing glutton, mooching off his parents and brother. You see it all boils down to the way they used their character traits. There is positive and negative attributes to all personality traits. Ya akov just happened to have had better control over hist Yetzar Hara (Evil Inclination) and exercised his Yetzar Tov (Good Inclination) more. It is the good dog bad dog scenario: Which ever one wins in a fight is the one you feed and pay attention to more. But since Esav was the first born, just as he, Yitzhak, was the first born of his father Avraham through Sarah, Yitzhak favored Esav. Not only that but Gen.25:28-34 And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob. And Jacob sod pottage: and Esau came from the field, and he was faint: And Esau said to Jacob, Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage; for I am faint: therefore was his name called Edom. And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright. And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me? And Jacob said, Swear to me this day; and he sware unto him: and he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright. (KJV) Some have translated lentils as cabbage which both, depending on the species can be a red color. According to Jewish tradition Ya akov was preparing lentils which was a traditional mourner s meal for his father Yitzhak, for Avraham had just died. We see Ya akov taking on the responsibilities of Esav, the first born. And where do we find Esav?

7 The Talmud says that Esav committed five sins on the day Avraham Avinu died: 1. He dishonored a maiden. 2. Murdered Nimrod. Gen. 10:8 says that Nimrod was a mighty hunter on the earth and became king of the world. Esav too was a hunter and contracted the Snow White Syndrome and wanted to be the Fairest Hunter of the all! 3. Like Nimrod he denied G-d. G-d would see his actions. He wanted to be King. 4. He denied the Resurrection. Avraham nor Nimrod would come back from the dead. 5. He spurned his birthright. He thought he had gained something better, being King of the world. Maybe Esav didn t want the birthright because maybe he thought that he, killing Nimrod and acquiring the garments meant that he was going to be king. Who needed a family birthright when you are going to rule all of the known world? Jasher 27:1-10 And Esau at that time, after the death of Abraham, frequently went in the field to hunt. And Nimrod king of Babel, the same was Amraphel, also frequently went with his mighty men to hunt in the field, and to walk about with his men in the cool of the day. And Nimrod was observing Esau all the days, for a jealousy was formed in the heart of Nimrod against Esau all the days. And on a certain day Esau went in the field to hunt, and he found Nimrod walking in the wilderness with his two men. And Nimrod and two of his men that were with him came to the place where they were, when Esau started suddenly from his lurking place, and drew his sword, and hastened and ran to Nimrod and cut off his head. And Esau fought a desperate fight with the two men that were with Nimrod, and when they called out to him, Esau turned to them and smote them to death with his sword. And all the mighty men of Nimrod, who had left him to go to the wilderness, heard the cry at a distance, and they knew the voices of those two men, and they ran to know the cause of it, when they found their king and the two men that were with him lying dead in the wilderness. And when Esau saw the mighty men of Nimrod coming at a distance, he fled, and thereby escaped; and Esau took the valuable garments of Nimrod, which Nimrod's father had bequeathed to Nimrod, and with which Nimrod prevailed over the whole land, and he ran and concealed them in his house.

8 Notice in verse 30 that Esav acquires the name Edom, meaning, red, which reminds us of Adam meaning red earth man. Which in turn reminds us of how Adam despised his birth right of sinless, perfection in Gan Eden for the forbidden fruit (figs) to appease Chavah (Eve) and his own lust and curiosity. Apparently the birthright and the blessing were two separate things, but more likely the one who was the firstborn, and received the birthright would most likely receive the greater blessing too (Gen.27:36). Jasher records the selling of the birthright as such: Jasher 27:11-14 And Esau took those garments and ran into the city on account of Nimrod's men, and he came unto his father's house wearied and exhausted from fight, and he was ready to die through grief when he approached his brother Jacob and sat before him. And he said unto his brother Jacob, Behold I shall die this day, and wherefore then do I want the birthright? And Jacob acted wisely with Esau in this matter, and Esau sold his birthright to Jacob, for it was so brought about by the Lord. And Esau's portion in the cave of the field of Machpelah, which Abraham had bought from the children of Heth for the possession of a burial ground, Esau also sold to Jacob, and Jacob bought all this from his brother Esau for value given. And Jacob wrote the whole of this in a book, and he testified the same with witnesses, and he sealed it, and the book remained in the hands of Jacob. So we see that the Birthright was sold in a legal manner and not taken from Esav in a deceitful way (v.12). Ya akov wasn t in the least bit deceptive or tricky as many says his name implies. He was completely holy and righteous in the matter. Ya akov saw that if Esav inherited the birthright, like the prodigal son he would waste the family fortune on riotous living and destroy any chance of the Moshiach coming. He would have also ruined the family name.

9 Luke 15:11-13 And he (Yeshua) said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. (KJV) (Parenthesis mine) It was no different than seeing someone kick around a gold nugget and you say, Hey, I ll give you a bag of chips for that gold nugget your kicking around. Ya akov had to obtain the birthright or it would be eternally lost. He obviously didn t care for or value what he had. Just as the guy kicking around the gold nugget. This is the very reason for Ya akov and Esav s wrestling match in the womb (Gen.25:24-26). They were fighting over the inheritance of the two worlds: 1. The Material World of Now. 2. And The Olam Haba (World to Come). You d think Ya akov would have no interest in the Material world. However the Lubavitcher Rebbe said: The World to come is not a reality that is disconnected from our present existence. Rather it is the result of our present day efforts to Tikkun Olam fix the world. The World to Come will be reborn from cinders. Kefa (Peter) and Yochannon (John) said this very thing!

10 II Peter 3:10-14 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (KJV) Rev. 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (KJV) The very same thing about how Ya akov obtained the birthright can be said about how he obtained the blessing. Ultimately it was for the sake of righteousness, Torah, the Land of Israel, the Jewish people and the Messiah which was to come, and Rivkah knew this. Gen.26:34-35 And Esau was forty years old when he took to wife Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Bashemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite: Which were a grief of mind unto Isaac and to Rebekah. (KJV) Choosing a mate not only affects you. You may think, It s my life, my choice, my consequences. If I m making a mistake it s no fault but my own, and I m only hurting myself. WRONG! Like ripples in a pond, your marital choice affects family and friends on both sides. Yitzhak and Rivkah knew these pagan women would drag Esav s heart further away from YHWH and his ways to pagan gods and their ways. Don t think you are immune, or stronger than that. Sholomo (Solomon) who brought in Israel s golden age, and built the Temple was pulled away at the end of his life from YHWH and His Torah.

11 Gen. 28:8-9 And Esau seeing that the daughters of Canaan pleased not Isaac his father; Then went Esau unto Ishmael, and took unto the wives which he had Mahalath the daughter of Ishmael Abraham's son, the sister of Nebajoth, to be his wife. (KJV) We see that Esav even married for the soul purpose to spite his parents. Jasher 29:42-43 At that time when Esau saw that Isaac had blessed Jacob, and had commanded him, saying, Thou shalt not take a wife from amongst the daughters of Canaan, and that the daughters of Canaan were bad in the sight of Isaac and Rebecca, Then he went to the house of Ishmael his uncle, and in addition to his older wives he took Machlath the daughter of Ishmael, the sister of Nebayoth, for a wife. (See Also: Gen. 29:8-9) Boy, talk about wrong motives for marriage! He was also mad because Ya akov please his parents by planning on marrying in the family. Why was this so important? Jasher 29: Now therefore my son hearken to my voice, to all that I shall command thee, and refrain from taking a wife from amongst the daughters of Canaan; arise, go to Haran to the house of Bethuel thy mother's father, and take unto thee a wife from there from the daughters of Laban thy mother's brother. Therefore take heed lest thou shouldst forget the Lord thy God and all his ways in the land to which thou goest, and shouldst get connected with the people of the land and pursue vanity and forsake the Lord thy God. Prior to the blessing of Ya akov during the Famine in Genesis 26, Jasher says that Ya akov is sent to study with Shem just as Avraham and Yitzhak before him.

12 Jasher 28:18 At that time Isaac sent his younger son Jacob to the house of Shem and Eber, and he learned the instructions of the Lord, and Jacob remained in the house of Shem and Eber for thirty-two years, and Esau his brother did not go, for he was not willing to go, and he remained in his father's house in the land of Canaan. 25 And when Shem died Jacob returned to his father to Hebron which is in the land of Canaan. Let s move on. By this Time Ya akov and Esav was 63 years old. Gen.27:1-4 And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I. And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death: Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison; And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die. (KJV) Yitzhak s time to die was drawing near and he knew it was time to bless his sons. Yitzhak knew to bless, one had to be in the right frame of mind, and a good meal usually does a good job in doing that. Most of us know well that as Esav left for the hunt, Rivkah prepared a meal and disguised Ya akov with Esav s clothes, which legend says was the ones Esav took from Nimrod and goats hair so Ya akov could obtain the blessing. But Ya akov was afraid of getting caught and end up cursed instead of blessed. However, Rivkah knew there would be no curse, for the prophecy in Gen.25:23 The elder shall serve the younger. Must come to pass. So Ya akov through the command of his mother took this only opportunity for him to secure what was rightfully his to begin with so that the future of Israel would be secure.

13 Gen.27:12-13 My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing. And his mother said unto him, Upon me be thy curse, my son: only obey my voice, and go fetch me them. V.5-17 Talks about Rivkah overheard Yitzhak s intention to bless Esav over Ya akov, and she knew she must do something for we discussed earlier that when she was pregnant with the twins she knew Ya akov the younger was to get the blessing. This episode is reminiscent of Avraham wanting to bless Ishmael because he was his first born through Hagar. And Yitzhak the second born among his sons, although he was a first born son through Sarah. We see in this instance to that G- d s will was for the older (Ishmael) was to serve the younger (Yitzhak). We know Avraham listened, and when Sarah told Avraham to send Ishmael away. G-d said for him to listen to Sarah. Here however Yitzhak wasn t going to listen to G-d or Rivkah, so Rivkah s plan of deceit had to be employed to ensure the future of the Jewish people and the Messiah. Most of us know the story well that Rivkah made Yitzhak a delicious dish and disguised Ya akov as Esav so Ya akov would get the Blessing on top of the Birthright. Gen.27:19 And Jacob said unto his father, I am Esau thy first born; I have done according as thou badest me: arise, I pray thee, sit and eat of my venison, that thy soul may bless me. (KJV) Legends of the Bible has Ya akov stating the phrase like this, thus Ya akov avoiding a falsehood: It is I, thy first born son is Esav.

14 All parties involved knew that a parental blessing was powerful and irrevocable. As the Proverbs says, that life and death is in the power of the tongue. Verses and 28:3-4 divulges the blessing Ya akov received and Verses records the blessing Esav received. The Parental Blessing upon a child is so powerful, prophetic and legally binding that it is irrevocable! Heb.11:20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. (KJV) Prov.18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: (KJV) According to Tradition we see that Ya akov s blessing is conditional upon his righteous obedience and Esav s was unconditional because he was a wicked person and wouldn t act righteously. Gen.27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob. According to Legends of the Bible Esav didn t try to kill Ya akov while his father Yitzhak was alive, just in case Yitzhak would father another child if Ya akov was killed. This was to ensure he (Esav) would be the only heir. Gen. 27:42-43 And these words of Esau her elder son were told to Rebekah: and she sent and called Jacob her younger son, and said unto him, Behold, thy brother Esau, as touching thee,

15 doth comfort himself, purposing to kill thee. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice; arise, flee thou to Laban my brother to Haran; (KJV) This leaves us at a cliff hanger and ends the Torah Portion for this week. Shabbat Shalom and Shavuah Tov! -- Rabbi Yehudah TORAH THOUGHTS ON YOUTUBE: HAFTARAH RaYBaSH s Haftarah Hashings Parashah #6 Toldot: (History) Mal. 1:1-2:7 By: Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr Malachi 1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever. And your eyes shall see, and ye shall say, The LORD will be magnified

16 from the border of Israel. A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise my name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised thy name? Ye offer polluted bread upon mine altar; and ye say, Wherein have we polluted thee? In that ye say, The table of the LORD is contemptible. And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts. And now, I pray you, beseech God that he will be gracious unto us: this hath been by your means: will he regard your persons? saith the LORD of hosts. Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit thereof, even his meat, is contemptible. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the LORD of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? saith the LORD. But cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrificeth unto the LORD a corrupt thing: for I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen. Malachi 2 And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart. Behold, I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts; and one shall take you away with it. And ye shall know that I have sent this commandment unto you, that my covenant might be with Levi, saith the LORD of hosts. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. (KJV) The Haftarah portion this week deals with YHWH s favor and plans for the descendants of Ya akov to whom the Seed of Promise of the Messiah which was to come, and the disfavor and thwarting of plans for the descendants of Esav, the Edomites who had become the perpetual enemy of Israel (v.1-7).

17 Verse one tells us that this message from YHWH via Malachi is to the House of Ephrayim, the House of Israel, in essence what would be known as the Lost 10 Tribes. So why did YHWH hate Esav? Because of apathy, insincerity and taking things for granted as we see Israel doing here in this Haftarah portion. V.6-11 Israel has become casual with YHWH and has ended up respecting and fearing man and his finite worldly authority more than that of YHWH the Creator Almighty! Appearing to revert back to being on the verge of worshipping and deifying worldly rulers such as was done with Nimrod and Pharaoh. Even an earthly king would not tolerate the casual disrespect Israel shows to YHWH the ruler and His Torah, the Divine Kingdom Law, and His Temple, His Palace on Earth, the provision and pattern for atonement. V.10 G-d would rather have no worship at all than mechanical, ritualistic, insincere worship. This is the true meaning of, Taking His Name in vain! G-d is not displeased the way of the worship, for He ordained, commanded, and prescribed it to be such, but He LOATHS the method and motive in which it is carried out.

18 Isaiah 1:11-17 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (KJV) The Stones Edition of the Tanak commentary of Mal. 1:10 simply says this: I would rather have no sacrifice at all than invalid ones. Malachi 2:1-3 screams Repent and Obey or be Cursed! An insincere Barcha (blessing) is taken as a curse to G-d for it is in vain. V.4-7 One should seek out an anointed learned Rabbi to study under, and the warning goes out to any teacher of Torah that they will be held more accountable. James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. (KJV) Shabbat Shalom and Shavuah Tov, --Rabbi Yehudah

19 HAFTARAH ON YOUTUBE: BRIT CHADASHA RaYBaSH s Brit Chadashah Connections Parshah #6: Toldot: History Rom. 9:6-16, Heb. 11:20, 12:14-17 By Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyer Let s Jump right into the text: Just because someone comes from the physical linage of Avraham doesn t mean that they are of Israel, and in turn just because someone claims spiritual linage from Avraham doesn t mean they are all of Avraham either (Rom.9:6-7). Who was Avarham? The first Yehudi (Jew). What is a Jew? By definition of the name it means, Praiser of Yah (G-d). How do we praise or glorify G-d? By our works: Matt.5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (KJV)

20 James 2:14-18 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (KJV) What is apart of works? Obeying, and carrying out the Torah, the Commandments. Works does not save us but it proves and backs up out profession of Faith. Avraham was a man of Faith, How did he prove his faith? By His works. What was his works? Doing what YHWH said. James 2:20-24 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. (KJV) Hence, one who keeps the Torah (Commandments / the Law) is a praiser of Yah (G-d). John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. (KJV) John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (KJV) I John 5:2-3 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (KJV)

21 Now according to John 17, we know that Yeshua and the Father are One. So Yeshua s Commandments is no different from G-d s commandments, they are one and the same, the Torah! Yeshua said Himself that He doesn t speak His own thing, but that of the Father. John 5:30-31 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. (KJV) Who was Israel? Ya akov (Jacob), Israel was the Prince of G-d, a Prince is at times a mediator between the people and the King. The prince as we see with King David s sons were at times judges. Hence, they kept and inforced the Law, the Torah. So we see one who is truly of Israel and of Avraham, a son of G-d and a prince of G-d, will be one who will be a Torah keeper. Rom 9:8-12 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) (KJV) Flesh represents the Physical descendants of Esav, and the Word of Promise represents Ya akov. Rom.9:12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. (KJV) Just as it was with Yitzhak and Ishmael.

22 Rom.9:13-16 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (KJV) Mal. 1:2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob's brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, (KJV) Why was Esav Hated? Because of the Heart. So why did YHWH hate Esav? Because of apathy, insincerity and taking things for granted as we see Israel doing here in this Haftarah portion. RaYBaSH s Haftarah Thoughts Heb.12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: (KJV) The Rabbi s, Sages and Mystics of blessed memory say that the Torah is the Garment that the Glory of YHWH is wrapped and concealed in. The path of holiness is Torah; it tells us the conduct G-d expects from us. If we follow the path of Torah, G-d will slowly begin to be revealed to us. We will see more of Him and therefore become more intimate with Him.

23 Heb.12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (KJV) Why was Kayin (Cain) and Esav hated and rejected? Because they didn t walk this path, and if they did so, they did it with selfish motive and intent, with an insincere heart, and this opened the door for them to play the victim and hence become bitter. Heb. 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Bitterness leads to further rebellion and actions that lead to immediate gratification. Without looking at the long term consequences. Thus taking things for granted and actually being spiteful toward these blessings and gifts. Heb.12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. (KJV) As the 80 s rock power ballad says; You don t know what you got, till its go-oone! (Okay air guitar solo everybody!) Esav, like Kayin were not sorry for their

24 actions, but sorry they got caught and sorry they got punished. The repentance was insincere. Motive behind your actions is EVERYTHING. Shabbat Shalom and Shavuah Tov! -- Rabbi Yehudah BRIT CHADASHA ON YOUTUBE: